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An older Asian American man in a green sweater vest reads a book aloud on a couch while a brindle Boxer sits listening. 6 / 29

Grandpa Ken Opened His Book and Started Reading Out Loud to Nobody in Particular

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The lamp is on, the plaid blanket is draped over the back of the couch, and story hour has begun. Grandpa Ken holds an open paperback in both hands and reads aloud, mouth mid-word and eyebrows raised with expression. Rocco sits beside him on the cushion, front paws resting on the coffee table, head turned toward Ken with an expression of total attention. A mug, a pair of glasses, and a set of keys rest on the table, and framed family photos hang on the warm-toned wall behind them.

Dogs may not follow the plot, but they do respond to the sound of a familiar voice. A calm, steady tone can be soothing, and many dogs relax when their person reads, sings, or simply talks to them. Reading to dogs is even used in some libraries and schools to help children build confidence, since a dog is a patient, nonjudgmental listener. For older adults, reading aloud is a pleasant way to keep the voice and mind active, and having a furry audience makes it feel more like a shared ritual than a solitary one.

Rocco has not interrupted once, which already makes him one of the best listeners Ken has ever had. Whatever happens in the next chapter, he will be right there on the cushion to hear it, ears perked and paws on the table.

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